4 years ago today....

Sebastian was born....I can't believe it's been 4 years already. I remember we had a scheduled C-section and it was late in the day. We went and saw the movie "Meet the parents" and I couldn't eat anything all day long. We got bumped to later after we got to the hospital because of an emergency C-section. Everything went well with his birth and with my recovery. He was a fairly easy baby, he adapted to our schedule very well. I just loved those chubby cheeks. He's really leaned out now and looks more like a little boy and not a toddler anymore.

Here he is with Uncle Charlie last weekend.

Our mini-vacation

We decided since Paul was off for a long period of time, we would take a little mini-vacation to a local indoor water park. We decided on Safari Joe's in Watervliet. I wondered if the kids would enjoy it since most of the time those places are really for older kids. I was surprised to find that they had a little kids area that had three slides and a lot of space for them to swim around. They also had a lazy river that Sebastian fell into and had to be pulled out of since the water was over his head. They also had two really big slides that Paul and I enjoyed while the other watched the kids. It was a lot of fun. Sleeping was a trip trying to have all three kids in one queen bed. We moved Atticus to our bed which caused him to through a fit for about 20 min and then once he got to sleep he slept for about 1 hour and then woke up in a state of half asleep and half awake. It took me a little bit but I got him settled down. People who travel a lot must have a lot more patience than me, they must have a lot more energy too. It was a lot of work to be gone for only about 24 hours. While we were gone, My Step mom and brothers came and ripped up our carpeting, moved all our stuff out and then had carpet installers come and install new carpet for us for Christmas.

It is so nice and we are so thankful for it!

A bittersweet day

Today was the last day of OT for Sebastian. You would think I would be so excited and in a way I am because Sebastian has made so many strides since we started with Joanne almost a year and a half ago. But it's actually pretty bitter sweet. I told her today that without her I'm not sure where I would be and I'm scared to even think about where Sebastian would be. When we started with Joanne, he wasn't really talking, he couldn't jump, kick a ball or ride a bike. Now he cracks us up with his comments and the questions he asks us. He also can kick a ball, ride a bike and we have to ask him to stop jumping so hard on the floor around the house. I'm not sure where I would be because I think the therapy was more for me than Sebastian. I pelted her with questions ever week. Like, "this is what he is doing in this situation, what can I do for that?". She would give me very practical ideas on how to work those things into our routine. She helped me to unlock Sebastian for me. I will be forever grateful!

The Cookie Makers

I decided to have the kids help me bake and decorate gingerbread cookies.
Although they had a great time, they did more eating then decorating.

A morning at the Beach

I think Alexandra wanted to counter balance the fact that it was freezing and cold outside by putting on her bathing suit and pretending her room was a pool. Sebastian followed "suit" (pun intended) a little while later. Atticus was really the only safe one with his warm footed pj's on.

Sebastian's Preschool Program

We braved the weather Friday morning to get to Sebastian's Preschool Program. After you watch it you'll see that it was well worth it. It was quite entertaining.

Can you tell Christmas is coming...They are crazy!

I'm not sure what is into these kids lately. Maybe the prospect of Christmas or how about not being able to go outside much. Whatever it is, it's crazy!

Growing up

Sebastian has been going through this phase where he wants me to be with him all the time. Tonight I was heading out with a friend tonight and Sebastian started to whine that he wanted to go with me. I told him that this was only for Mommies and that even Daddy couldn't go. Alexandra walks in and says to me, Mom he's not even a woman yet! Paul and I laughed so hard. Then Sebastian says, Mommy I want to be a woman. I laughed and said, honey you'll never be a woman, you'll be a man though one day. I smiled at Alexandra and told her good job knowing that you had to be a woman before you could be a Mommy! She smiled back.

Christmas Cheer thanks to Alexandra

Again, I find this hilarious.

Typical in the Erbe House

I witnessed this and had a hard time holding back my laughter. Thank God He gave me these kids. They are hilarious.

A return

Well, it's been a while and for good reason. About 2 months ago my mom's sister was put in the hospital and they determined she had cancer and some liver problems. After three weeks in the hospital, she spent 1 week at a hospice facility and then passed. I had the awesome opportunity to spend a lot of time with her and speak to her about spiritual things. I was with her almost every day and it was quite a journey. After that Paul and I were able to serve at her memorial service in hopes of bringing hope to those she left behind. Just after we made it through that a good friend of mine lost her daughter tragically. I think as a mom you think about being in her shoes and how she might feel but we really can't imagine. I also am back at WaYfm. I'm covering afternoons until they can find a full time person to do it. Things at the preschool are good but our next meeting with the licensing agent is coming up in Feb. I'm still working at the school and hanging in there until we hear about our property transfer request with the state. Whew...It's been a crazy couple of months. The kids are all good. We'll be ending Sebastian's therapy the end of this month. I feel good about that decision and Sebastian is doing awesome. Hopefully things at home and on the blog will get back to normal now, well whatever that is!